8 Top BMW X1 Competitors

The 2022 BMW X1’s biggest competitors include the Volvo XC40, the Mercedes-Benz GLA Class, and the Lexus NX, which rival the X1’s price range and performance.
Written by Mary Alice Morris
Edited by Pat Roache
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
background
The BMW X1 brings fuel efficiency, great handling, and impressive cargo space to the luxury crossover SUV class—but drivers can find similar practicality with the Volvo XC40, Mercedes-Benz GLA Class, and more.
Quick look:
Model
Starting price range
Engine options
Maximum seating capacity
Maximum cargo volume
Maximum towing capacity
Fuel economy (combined/city/highway)
$36,395 to $38,395
Four cylinder
5 seats
58.7 cubic ft
3700 lb
26/23/31 mpg
$36,195 to $52,795
Four-cylinder or EV
5 seats
47.2 cubic ft
3500 lb
26/23/22 mpg
$37,450 to $39,450
Four-cylinder
5 seats
50.5 cubic ft
not rated
28/24/34 mpg
$34,895 to $48,585
V6
8 seats
86.4 cubic ft
5000 lb
19/26/22 mpg
2022 Lincoln Corsair
$37,775 to $53,005
Four-cylinder
5 seats
57.6 cubic ft
2000 lb
25/22/29 mpg
$37,595 to $43,195
Four-cylinder
5 seats
48 cubic feet
not rated
26/23/30 mpg
$42,850 to $51,045
Four-cylinder
5 seats
49.5 cubic ft
1,653 lbs
23/20/26 mpg
$34,525 to $41,854
Four-cylinder
5 seats
40.4 cubic ft
not rated
32/29/37 mpg
$36,940 to $43,040
Four-cylinder
5 seats
48.9 cubic ft
2500 lbs
24/22/29 mpg

Volvo XC40

Starting price: $36,195 to $52,795
Selling points: Available electric powertrain, practical cabin with Swedish style, nice tech options
Weak spot: EV is quite expensive, gas-powered model lags in efficiency
The 2022 Volvo XC40 offers plenty of tech and comfort. The infotainment system is well-equipped across trims, and the driver safety tech includes:
  • Automated emergency braking
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Lane-departure warning
  • Lane-keeping assist
  • Optional semi-autonomous driving mode with adaptive cruise control
Choose from one of three XC40 powertrains:
  • 184-hp turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder
  • 248-hp turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder
  • 402-hp two-motor electric vehicle powertrain 
The most powerful XC40 EV trim—the
XC40 Recharge
—can scoot from 0-60 mph in just 4.3 seconds. However, you'll have to shell out over $16,000 more than the base price.
MORE: Is the Volvo XC40 Recharge a worthy competitor?

Mercedes-Benz GLA Class

Starting price: $37,450 to $39,450
Selling points: Attractive inside and out, comfortable interior space
Weak spot: Slightly less cargo space and headroom
The 2022
Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
’s turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder pushes this luxury SUV from 0-60 mph in a respectable 6.3 seconds and manages to be fairly fuel-efficient at the same time. 
The GLA 250 is a standard front-wheel drive, but the more expensive
GLA 250 4Matic
has all-wheel drive and includes the Mercedes Off-Road Engineering Package. That means added off-road driving modes to help in snowy or muddy conditions. 
GLA Class infotainment: Dual 7-inch touchscreen displays can be upgraded to 10.3-inch displays in the Premium Package. However, expected luxury infotainment features, like navigation and heads-up display, are available but not standard. 

Lexus NX

Starting price: $39,425 to $58,475
Selling points: Available hybrid and PHEV powertrains
Weak spot: Powerful PHEV costs nearly $20,000 more than the base
The 2022 Lexus NX has four available powertrains for a variety of horsepower needs: 
  • Base 203-hp four-cylinder
  • Turbocharged 275-hp four-cylinder
  • Hybrid 239-hp four-cylinder combined with two electric motors
  • Plug-in hybrid 304-hp four-cylinder combined with two electric motors
Fuel economy at a price: The base level fuel economy falls in about the same mpg range as its competitors, but the PHEV gets an outstanding 84 MPGe—in exchange for a hefty price tag.
The NX also brings generous offerings for standard safety tech (including standard adaptive cruise control), plus a comfortable interior and agreeable standard infotainment system.

Lincoln Corsair

Starting price: $37,775 to $53,005
Selling points: Well-appointed interior and stunning exterior design
Weak spot: Capable, but not competitive on the road, not for thrill seekers
The Lincoln Corsair is more for pragmatists than it is for thrill-seekers. 
Powertrain options: Its two gas-powered engine options are nearly identical in terms of performance, but the larger 2.3-liter four-cylinder comes with standard AWD. There’s an available PHEV that trades power for fuel efficiency.
The base trim Corsair interior is comfortable, but you’ll get a lot of features if pay $5,000 to move from the entry-level trim to the Revel trim:
  • Heated leather front seats
  • Built-in navigation
  • Panoramic sunroof
  • 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat

Audi Q3

Starting price: $37,595 to $43,195 
Selling points: Looks and feels more expensive than it is, drives with some flair
Weak spot: Back is a bit cramped, some lag between gas pedal and acceleration
The Audi Q3 is the least expensive Audi SUV you can buy. It’s not the quickest in its class with a somewhat leisurely 7.3-second 0-60 time, but its 2-liter turbocharged four performs adequately.
Despite an underwhelming powertrain, the Q3’s base interior features make for an enjoyable driving experience:
  • Super-soft suspension
  • Plush leather seats 
  • Power sunroof
  • Valet function
  • Heated front seats

Jaguar E-Pace

Starting price: $42,850 to $51,045
Selling points: The exclusivity of driving a Jaguar, standard AWD, up to five years of complimentary maintenance
Weak spot: Not as refined or well-appointed as competitors, higher price tag than competitors
Let’s start with some of the better qualities of the 2022 Jaguar E-Pace:
  • The cabin’s front end is designed with the driver fully in mind. All infotainment and comfort functions are easily accessible and visible from the driver’s seat.
  • Its digital gauge cluster and touchscreen infotainment system are well-positioned and easy to operate.
  • Its standard safety features are generous when compared to competitors. 
Complimentary maintenance: Jaguar also offers an exceptional complementary maintenance schedule that lasts just as long as the five-year/60,000-mile factory warranty.
On the downside, the E-Pace is not nearly as fuel-efficient as competitors in its class. The base price is also several thousand dollars higher than other builds, even from European manufacturers. 

Lexus UX

Starting price: $34,525 to $41,865
Selling points: Affordable with a nice-but-smallish cabin and generous standard features
Weak spot: Unimpressive engine and lethargic acceleration
The
Lexus UX
is available with a gas or hybrid powertrain, and you can pick between FWD and AWD. Its handling is more like that of a low-profile car than a chunky compact SUV. 
The UX interior offers comfortable front and back seats—although the legroom and headroom aren’t that impressive. It’s also rich in standard features that you’d usually have to buy into with a package:
  • Dual-zone climate control
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Armrest multimedia controls
  • Forward-collision warning
  • Automatic high-beam headlights, and many other perks 
Underwhelming infotainment: Unfortunately, the UX’s notorious infotainment system features touchpad controls that operate like an awkward laptop pad.

Cadillac XT4

Starting price: $36,940 to $43,040 
Selling points: Great cargo and passenger space, standard Wi-Fi hotspot
Weak spot: Not notably athletic or responsive, interior falls short 
Although it’s marketed as a sporty compact SUV, the 2022
Cadillac XT4
isn’t particularly spirited. It’s a capable and comfortable ute that just happens to be overshadowed by other models with faster acceleration and more responsive steering.
One powertrain option: Its 235-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine carries across all trim levels, and it’s matched to a nine-speed automatic transmission and your choice of AWD or FWD. 
While Cadillac is known for its extensive driver assistance and safety features, most of them are only available as options on the XT4. But forward collision warning and automated emergency braking both come standard on the XT4. 
“After using
Jerry
twice, I can confidently recommend them for insuring a new car or renewing for an existing car. Phenomenal service.” —Phil E.
Make auto loan refinancing easy with PriceProtect™
icon4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars
icon4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers
Reduce your monthly car payments in minutes?
Find out if Jerry can reduce your payments by an average of $150/month
Check your rate!

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings